ANKARA, Turkey - Turkey, which is a key supply route to U.S. troops in Iraq, recalled its ambassador to Washington on Thursday and warned of serious repercussions if Congress labels the killing of Armenians by Turks a century ago as genocide.

ADVERTISEMENT Ordered after a House committee endorsed the genocide measure, the summons of the ambassador for consultations was a further sign of the deteriorating relations between two longtime allies and the potential for new turmoil in an already troubled region.

Egeman Bagis, an aide to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, told Turkish media that Turkey — a conduit for many of the supplies shipped to American bases in both Iraq and Afghanistan — might have to "cut logistical support to the U.S."

Analysts also have speculated the resolution could make Turkey more inclined to send troops into northern Iraq to hunt Turkish Kurd rebels, a move opposed by the U.S. because it would disrupt one of the few relatively stable and peaceful Iraqi areas.

"There are steps that we will take," Turkey's prime minister told reporters, but without elaboration. It also wasn't clear if he meant his government would act immediately or wait to see what happens to the resolution in Congress.

He declined to answer questions about whether Turkey might shut down Incirlik air base in southern Turkey, a major cargo hub for U.S. and allied military forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. Turkey's Mediterranean port of Iskenderun is also used to ferry goods to American troops.

"You don't talk about such things, you just do them," Erdogan said.

The measure before Congress is just a nonbinding resolution without the force of law, but the debate has incensed Turkey's government.

The relationship between the two NATO allies, whose troops fought together in the Korean War in 1950-53, have stumbled in the past. They hit a low in 2003, when Turkey's parliament refused to allow U.S. forces use their country as a staging ground for the invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.

But while the threat of repercussions against the U.S. is appealing for many Turks, the country's leaders know such a move could hurt Turkey's standing as a reliable ally of the West and its ambitions to be a mediator on the international stage.

The Turks did suspend military ties with France last year after parliament's lower house approved a bill that would have made it a crime to deny the mass killings of Armenians in Turkey amounted to genocide. But Turkey has much more to lose from cutting ties to the U.S.

Hold on a second. My comment was meant to be ludicrous. Don't you see the danger in what the bill imposes? It totally lacks common sense and bad timing.

Fairfield CA

Username hidden
(575 posts)

User Details are only visible to members.

I see.

I agree that this bill should probably not be brought to a vote now.

But you guys are seriously qualitatively and quantitatively going to equate 1 death (Mary Jo Kopechne) and some unknown, unproven, probably unrelated number of deaths, but certainly less than 100 even if proven (Clinton) with the 4,000+ coalition and 70,000 plus Iraqi deaths in this war.

Even after every justification for war has been proven false?

Fullerton CA

Username hidden
(20602 posts)

User Details are only visible to members.

Pat You have an excellent point! If they want to go backwards, they should start with individuals that are still alive.

Congress should pass a resolution to determine the following: Clinton and the deaths that surrounded his presidency; Ted "the alcoholic" Kennedy and why that young lady he was having an affair with drowned.

Fairfield CA

Username hidden
(575 posts)

User Details are only visible to members.

The administration will now try to pressure Democratic leaders in Congress not to schedule a vote, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi indicated they were committed to going forward.

OOOPPPSSS there you go!!!!!

Imperial MO

Username hidden
(12441 posts)

User Details are only visible to members.

have to be honest, not sure where i fall on this issue

Why am I not surprised? Notice the author of this bill not mention in the report...If it were a conservative the named would be mentioned 9 times...LOL

Imperial MO

Username hidden
(12441 posts)

User Details are only visible to members.

Whats more important than undermining the President and our success in Iraq?

Imperial MO

Username hidden
(12441 posts)

User Details are only visible to members.

dzzy,

I fall on this issue of it being almost 100 years ago. Do this shit when there's not a war on and an ally won't be offended. Is labeling this a genocide NOW going to matter? it was 100 years ago. Set asdie the fact that we need turkey right now, doesn't congress have somethign better to spend time on?

This site does not contain sexually explicit images as defined in 18 U.S.C. 2256.
Accordingly, neither this site nor the contents contained herein are covered by the record-keeping provisions of 18 USC 2257(a)-(c).
Disclaimer: This website contains adult material. You must be over 18 to enter or 21 where applicable by law.All Members are over 18 years of age.Terms of Use|Privacy Policy